Prior to Seniors’ Net joining the NETWORK of Community Ministries, Inc., in 2000 it was an existing mission within Hope Reformed Church, which closed in August 2005. At that time Douglas Freeman had been Minister of Word and Sacrament at Hope Reformed Church and received approval to carry on the Seniors’ Net mission. However, Seniors’ Net was without a dedicated office location and the nonprofit structure to operate independently.
Due to its lack of a 501(c)(3) status and the necessity to have the backing of a nonprofit in order to secure funds, discussions began in 2002 between Freeman and the NETWORK Board of Directors. The NETWORK Board approved housing the Seniors’ Net with Network as its lead agent, began providing operational assistance, use of the facility and available resources. Seniors’ Net’s mission remained a constant, which is to support and assist the aging population by offering services and programs to allow clients to maintain their independence.
As a result of the 2005-2010 Strategic Plan that called for assessment of all NETWORK divisions, discussions began with Freeman and the NETWORK Board about merging Seniors’ Net and officially establishing Freeman as a NETWORK staff member. Following strategic action to implement the transition, on January 13, 2009, the NETWORK’s Attorney of Record reported to the NETWORK Board that Seniors’ Net was no longer a separate entity but an standing division within NETWORK.
The division name was officially changed to its current moniker, Seniors’ Net, and Freeman became the division’s first director in NETWORK. Freeman would depart in 2009 to pursue a role as chaplain, and NETWORK moved forward with a new staff and new direction.
That new direction came to fruition in 2012 with the relocation of the Seniors’ Net Division of NETWORK to a 9,000 square foot annex, providing a new Information and Referrals Call Center, Multipurpose Room, Durable Medical Equipment Center, and Administration Office.
Since its inception over two decades ago, Seniors’ Net has assisted over 20,000 seniors through its ongoing programs and recent enhancements. Recently, its Seniors Choice Programs helped over 4,000 live as independently as possible for as long as possible in the familiar environment of their own homes.
